15:50 Hereford

Tuesday 4 January 2022

All12:4513:1513:4514:1514:5015:2015:50

Read Kevin Blake On attheraces.com Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:51 | Winning time: 5m 35.7s

Glasha's Peak²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 100

40/1

Maiden who has shaped up well over hurdles on occasions, not seen to best effect when midfield in a 17-runner handicap at Wincanton (19.7f) last month. Can go well now tackling larger obstacles.

Form: 38-4B59

Nocte Volatus^t⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Dylan Kitts⁽¹⁰⁾| T: T Lacey| OR: 99

1/2

Had race at mercy when falling last on return at Market Rasen (19f) and duly confirmed promise of that run when bolting up at Catterick (19.2f) last week. Unpenalised for that and tough to beat.

Form: 424P-F1

Poniente²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 97

6/1

Maiden who did better for return/chase debut when fourth over extended 25f here last month, albeit not looking entirely straightforward. Handicapper has relinquished his grip a little more.

Form: 6324-54

O Ceallaigh^p,t²⁰

Age: 13| Weight: 11-9| J: K Brogan⁽³⁾| T: G Hanmer| OR: 97

66/1

Veteran who is yet to score over fences and whilst he may have found his Leicester assignment coming too soon 3 weeks ago, he's essentially not one to be making many excuses for. Cheekpieces back on.

Form: 3U23/P7

Jobesgreen Lad^t²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 95

9/1

Placed 3 times in 2m handicap hurdles and confirmed chase debut form when keeping on well to open his account at Ludlow (20f) 4 weeks ago. Looks one to put it up to Nocte Volatus with a repeat.

Form: 23-2721

Legendary Rhythm⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Benjamin Poste| T: T Symonds| OR: 94

22/1

Improved form when landing mares' handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter (15.7f) in March. Not disgraced either start this autumn in that sphere and worth noting in the betting now tackling larger obstacles.

Form: 4P15-46

Galtee Mountain^p²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: G Sheehan| T: P G Murphy| OR: 92| BF

11/1

Hurdles winner who has filled runners-up spot on 2 of his 4 starts over fences, albeit not convincing with his jumping at Fontwell latterly. Refitting of cheekpieces may help now.

Form: 14-4242

Bilboa River^h²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: James Davies| T: R J Price| OR: 92

100/1

Ex-pointer who hasn't offered a great deal over hurdles, only fifth of 7 in a novice claimer on his latest outing in December. Switch to chasing needs to have positive effect now.

Form: 740675

Broughtons Rhythm^h³³

Age: 13| Weight: 11-4| J: James Best| T: L Hurley| OR: 92

66/1

On a long losing run (maiden over fences) and whilst he finished runner-up at Wincanton (20f) on his latest start he was readily put in his place then. Others make more appeal.

Form: 2/P-U322

Spider Cullen^p1⁴⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 90

80/1

Placed in a point and promise in maiden hurdles for Denis Hickey in Ireland, but he's yet to get going for this yard, including in 3 starts over fences. Cheekpieces reached for now.

Form: 5-8656P

Admiral Balko^t²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Chester Williams⁽³⁾| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 96

11/1

Made a winning handicap hurdle debut at Wincanton in March and some promise to glean from chase debut fourth over 2m here in November. Disappointed at Bangor next time, however.

Form: 531-84P

Take Em Out^t⁸⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: Ben Jones| T: D Burchell| OR: 89

40/1

Matched fair hurdles form when landing a Stratford chase in July 2019. Restricted to just 6 runs since, disappointing on the back of a wind op at Stratford in October.

Form: P6P-82P

Thais Toir²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: A Wintle| OR: 85

50/1

Signs of promise over hurdles for Tom Lacey but well held all 3 starts for this yard, pulled up on return/chase debut at Bangor (20.3f) early on last month.

Form: 304P0-P

Non-Runners

Monition²⁵

Weight: 11-8| Age: 9

T: J Groucott J: Alex Edwards

Forecasts

Nocte Volatus (1/2), Poniente (6/1), Jobesgreen Lad (9/1), Galtee Mountain (11/1), Admiral Balko (11/1), Legendary Rhythm (22/1), Take Em Out (40/1), Glasha's Peak (40/1), Thais Toir (50/1), Broughtons Rhythm (66/1), O Ceallaigh (66/1), Spider Cullen (80/1), Bilboa River (100/1), Monition (100/1)

Having had the race at his mercy when coming to grief at the last at Market Rasen early last month, NOCTE VOLATUS had little fuss in making amends on his second start over fences at Catterick last week, bolting up by 17 lengths. Unpenalised for that, he's expected to prove tough to beat. Fellow last-time-out winner Jobesgreen Lad rates the chief threat, ahead of Galtee Mountain and Glasha's Peak.